WWE to rethink entrance music as Def Rebel contract nears end

WWE appears poised to alter the sound of its programming after reports that Def Rebel, the in-house music production team responsible for many recent entrance themes, is working under its final contract with the company. The development comes amid growing dissatisfaction from talent and fans over recent themes, and follows a series of moves by WWE to reintroduce older, more recognizable entrance songs on Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks, including the return of Shinsuke Nakamura to his original theme on the October 10 episode of SmackDown.

According to reports, the current Def Rebel deal is nearing its end, though no official expiration date has been confirmed and neither WWE nor Def Rebel has publicly commented. The company has already begun experimenting with outside musicians for individual themes, collaborating recently with artists such as Mega Ran, Adam Jones of the band Tool, and the group Incendiary. Those partnerships and the restoration of veteran theme songs are being viewed as part of a broader reassessment of how WWE sources and approves entrance music.

Wrestlers and fans have voiced frustration in recent years with many of the themes produced in-house, saying the...